Worlds collide

As they rode off to the ball, Noah waited nervously at the front gate of the Alden mansion.

He didn't like tuxedos but he was wearing an elegant black shirt and black pants. He knew she liked black clothes. He sent her a text .

"Here"

Her phone buzzed as she was about to leave the room. She saw the text and felt twice as anxious. This dress, shoes, make up, it just wasn't her and she felt like a clown.

Mary helped her down the narrow stairs.

- Irene left huh?

- Yes , she said she'll see you there but I just have to say you look gorgeous, like an angel

- Thanks Mary but it's the first and last time I'll ever wear it

Mary smiled.

He was waiting in front of the car at the front gate.

Then she walked out. She was wearing a long sleeveless silky , ice blue dress, fitted at the waist.

She looked like an angel and he didn't know if the dress was sequined or if it was just her but she was shining. She had a frown in her face, her hair pulled back by a tiara like headpiece .

- Hey you

He said unsure of how to exactly put into words what he felt looking at her

- Hey, you look good in black

- Well, I gotta say, Rose Bryn Alden you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen

She smiled a little.

- Wish I felt like it, I miss my boots

She said pulling up her dress a little and he saw her silver high heels.

He smiled. He knew none of this would ever be her thing. He didn't mind he felt just the same watching her at breakfast the other day in her denim overalls and stripped t-shirt

- Well, its just for tonight.

- Thank God

- So. May I ?

He said and opened the car door for her

She smiled and looked at the car

- His baby

Noah said meaning the car

- Yeah, he loved the thing

- He did. Thank you for this

- Gotta admit this was Aliyah's idea. But this ..this is from me.

He said and pulled out a little box

- You didn't have to

- Count it for the birthdays I missed.

But I don't want you to open it now. Wait until tonight's over.

- Thank you , for everything

- My pleasure, now if we may

She smiled and got in the car. The wind brushed against her hair and she closed her eyes for a second. And for a tiny moment she wished everything was different. She looked at him, he looked perfect, he looked genuinely happy and she felt like the most horrible person alive because she knew she was going to break his heart. She truly wished he would one day find a way to forgive her.

She looked at the box in her hands, put it in her clutch.

- Aliyah and Hunter?

- They'll meet us there.

- Them two together huh? Just something about it..

- Right?

- Guess they're so opposite it just works

- Guess so.

She had never thought about it. But now that she did she knew Aliyah was the perfect person for Hunter and it would be a relief to know they'll have each other when she'd be gone.

She looked at Noah again. And he smiled at her.

How would she leave him? If only he knew it broke her heart more than it would break his one day.

- What's with that look?

He asked

- Nothing. I just… after the last four years I know you're still mad at me, but doing all of this for me regardless its just .. it means to me more than you know

- Yeah well, I wouldn't say mad, but I do wish things were different, but we'll get through this night together then we can talk about everything

- What about Allison?

- Her too, we'll meet at Mr.P's tonight.

- She agreed?

- Well that's up to Connor to bring her so we'll see.

- She looked so mad at me today, I just don't think she wants to talk. Maybe she and I should talk first

- She lost that chance today

- What does that mean?

- Nothing , we had a chat today, didn't go very well

- What did she say?

- Nothing, that's the problem. Just as you she said nothing

Rose started feeling anxious again

- Don't worry, not asking anything. We will talk once we're all together.

She didn't say anything. She hoped everything would go as he planned because she just wanted it to be over once and for all. She was tired of trying to mend things all on her own.

They arrived at the "Alden Country Club" .

There were huge black gates and the widest driveway Noah had ever seen.

- Fancy !

He said jokingly.

- Irene-y

She said and frowned as he got out and opened the car door for her.

He held out his hand, she looked at him with her big green eyes and reached out her hand to his.

She was crippling with anxiety inside but wasn't sure if he noticed. But her hands were trembling again, she had no way of hiding it.

- Don't worry I won't let go until this night is over

He said tightening the grip on her hand.

- Wish I could tell you what we've gotten ourselves into but I am clueless

- Whatever it is. I got you.

He winked at her, she felt so thankful to have him there, it was both of her worlds colliding but God knows what that would bring.

They took the huge stairs that led to the entrance. Hunter and Aliyah were waiting for them there.

- Here they are ! Duo of the year

- Hunter Bennet in a tuxedo .. gotta say looks better than I thought

Rose joked.

- Well you're not so bad yourself, gotta say you look freaking gorgeous

- Oh yes Rose you dooo

Aliyah felt like they were living in a rom com.

- You look dazzling

Rose said and the two hugged.

- So if we're over with the comments about our appearance can we go in now?

- Yeah sure.

Rose said and took a deep breath and just thought of how much she just wanted to run outta there.

But they were there, if anything went wrong, she would manage.

Inside there was a huge lobby with the biggest beaded crystal chandelier, a woman in a suit was waiting in the middle with a list.

They approached her.

- Hi, we're here for the uh

Rose didn't really know what it was and why she was there

- The Alden family ball for their granddaughter right?

- ..yeah that..

- Names please and invitations

- She's Rose Alden can we just move along already..

Hunter was tired of waiting around. The girl looked at Rose.

- Oh so you are Rose then? So sorry didn't know

- Yeah no worries

- Please just walk this way into the outdoors . Mrs. Alden is waiting for you

- Thank you

Rose said.

- So, Rose, if by chance your grandmother dies, do you get all this?

- What the hell Hunter?

Aliyah said angrily and pinched his arm

- Ouch. What ? just curious..

- Irene!! And no! I won't get a thing.

I don't want a thing.

- Lets just move along okay?

Noah said holding Roses hand as they walked through two huge glass doors into the garden . there was a little stage and an orchestra playing and people were walking around, waiters moved quickly between tables. It was a huge garden and it was lit up with bright white lights in ropes around the whole area ,with tables all around and bouquets of white roses in all corners.

- White Roses for you. Your Grandma's so thoughtful.

- Again, Irene ! and no she's not, those are her favorites.

- Oh.

Aliyah felt bad. But Rose laughed.

- And here she comes. Star of the show.

Irene Alden was wearing a slim black dress with long tulle sleeves and a big shiny diamond necklace .

Her hair in a bun she looked a bit young to be a grandmother.

- That is a grandma?!

Aliyah pinched Hunter again as Irene approached the group.

- Finally you have arrived.

- Yeah

Rose said and gave her a fake smile

- The gown is perfect! Now see was that too hard?

- We'll see.

- Good evening everyone. You must be Jack's sons.

- Yes ma'am. I'm Hunter Bennet and this is Noah my younger brother. Pleased to meet you.

- You too. Your father is around here somewhere too.

- Hi . I am Aliyah Sutton, Roses friend

- Nice to meet you all. I have set a table for you right over there, the waiter will accompany you to it. And Rose your high school friends are here. I'm hoping you will greet them and their families

Roses heart sunk. She wanted to just rip Irene apart. She knew something would go wrong, she knew she was being pulled into a trap and there it was. She wanted to scream in her face and then leave, but she couldn't. She didn't want the others to know anything.

- Maybe later, I will sit down with my friends for now.

- Oh I'm sure they won't mind.

- Not at all. Please we will be at our table.

Noah said and Aliyah and Hunter looked at each other not sure what to do.

Rose let go of Noah's hand but she really didn't want to.

Hunter looked at her and he could see it in her face now.

- I'm sure my brother won't mind accompanying her around and we'll just wait at the table.

Right Aliyah?

- Yes sounds perfect.

Noah looked confused. He didn't understand why Hunter had given such a suggestion.

- That would be lovely !

Irene said, hoping with Noah being there Rose wouldn't make a scene as she used to.